DMK President Kalaignar Karunanidhi urged the State and Central governments to take steps for organising the annual bull taming festival of “Jallikattu” in Tamil Nadu, which is the cultural and traditional identity of Tamils.
“I urge the immediate intervention of the State and Central governments on this issue and take steps for holding Jallikattu,” he said in a statement on Jan 12.
Jallikattu is traditionally held in several regions in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal. In May last year, the Supreme Court had banned the sport and observed that bulls, too, had rights against torture.
Against this background, the DMK chief urged that the ‘sentiments’ of the people should be considered and steps taken to hold the event, “which is a symbol of Tamil culture and tradition.”
The DMK government in 2007 and 2008 took urgent steps to slightly lift the ban imposed by the apex court but the benami ADMK regime has not taken any action with only two or three days for Pongal festival.
Kalaignar cited many demonstrations in Madurai and other districts by the DMK and others demanding this.
The annual event was being held for ages, he said, adding that law and order issues that might crop up due to the ban should also be pondered over.
People’s right: Amid the stepped up pressure on the State government to get the ban on jallikattu lifted, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has declared that the conduct of jallikattu during Pongal is a matter of Tamil Nadu people exercising their right.
A demonstration was staged by the DMK at Alanganallur, near Madurai, on Jan 11, extending the party’s support and solidarity for the traditional bull-taming sport, which was banned by the Supreme Court.
DMK Madurai rural district secretary P. Moorthy blamed the State government for not taking up the issue with the Centre well in advance despite knowing that there was a lot of anxiety among people.
“Only four days are left for jallikattu. It is a traditional rural sport reflecting our State’s culture and tradition. It also finds prominence in the tourism calendar of Tamil Nadu. The DMK will extend its full support on this issue,” he said.
The responsibility for conducting the Alanganallur jallikattu lay fully with the government and it had to make quick moves with the Centre and take legal measures for lifting the ban.
“I urge the immediate intervention of the State and Central governments on this issue and take steps for holding Jallikattu,” he said in a statement on Jan 12.
Jallikattu is traditionally held in several regions in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal. In May last year, the Supreme Court had banned the sport and observed that bulls, too, had rights against torture.
Against this background, the DMK chief urged that the ‘sentiments’ of the people should be considered and steps taken to hold the event, “which is a symbol of Tamil culture and tradition.”
The DMK government in 2007 and 2008 took urgent steps to slightly lift the ban imposed by the apex court but the benami ADMK regime has not taken any action with only two or three days for Pongal festival.
Kalaignar cited many demonstrations in Madurai and other districts by the DMK and others demanding this.
The annual event was being held for ages, he said, adding that law and order issues that might crop up due to the ban should also be pondered over.
People’s right: Amid the stepped up pressure on the State government to get the ban on jallikattu lifted, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has declared that the conduct of jallikattu during Pongal is a matter of Tamil Nadu people exercising their right.
A demonstration was staged by the DMK at Alanganallur, near Madurai, on Jan 11, extending the party’s support and solidarity for the traditional bull-taming sport, which was banned by the Supreme Court.
DMK Madurai rural district secretary P. Moorthy blamed the State government for not taking up the issue with the Centre well in advance despite knowing that there was a lot of anxiety among people.
“Only four days are left for jallikattu. It is a traditional rural sport reflecting our State’s culture and tradition. It also finds prominence in the tourism calendar of Tamil Nadu. The DMK will extend its full support on this issue,” he said.
The responsibility for conducting the Alanganallur jallikattu lay fully with the government and it had to make quick moves with the Centre and take legal measures for lifting the ban.
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